Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a user supporting member having a beam member at one end and a U-shaped member at an opposite end. At least one bracket is rigidly interconnected between the beam member and the U-shaped member. One such bracket is welded onto a middle portion of the U-shaped member to underlie and directly support a proximate end of the beam member. At least one bolt extends through the beam and the bracket to establish a rigid connection therebetween. In a preferred application, a seat is mounted on the user supporting member, and the user supporting member is part of a linkage assembly operatively connected to a frame to move the seat through at least one elliptical path.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame configured to rest on a floor surface; 
 a crank rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis, wherein the crank defines left and right crank connection points at a common radial distance from the axis; 
 a generally U-shaped member having left and right end segments operatively connected to respective said left and right crank connection points, and a middle portion integrally interconnected between the left and right end segments; 
 a beam having a first end movably linked to the frame and an opposite, second end overlying the middle portion of the U-shaped member; 
 at least one bracket rigidly interconnected between the second end of the beam and the middle portion of the U-shaped member; and 
 a seat mounted on the beam between the first end and the second end. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise apparatus of  1 , wherein said at least one bracket includes an intermediate bracket rigidly mounted on top of the middle portion of the U-shaped member and defining an upwardly facing flat surface. 
     
     
       3. The exercise apparatus of  2 , wherein the second end of the beam defines a downwardly facing flat surface that rests on top of the upwardly facing flat surface. 
     
     
       4. The exercise apparatus of  3 , wherein the intermediate bracket is welded to the middle portion of the U-shaped member. 
     
     
       5. The exercise apparatus of  2 , wherein at least one bolt extends through the intermediate bracket and the second end of the beam. 
     
     
       6. The exercise apparatus of  2 , wherein the U-shaped member defines a cross-sectional profile, and the intermediate bracket is notched to receive an upwardly facing segment of the profile. 
     
     
       7. The exercise apparatus of  2 , wherein the intermediate bracket comprises a metal plate that is bent in two places to define a left flange and a right flange and a plate portion therebetween. 
     
     
       8. The exercise apparatus of  7 , wherein the U-shaped member defines a cross-sectional profile, and each said flange is notched to receive a respective upwardly facing segment of the profile. 
     
     
       9. The exercise apparatus of  7 , wherein a vertical distance is defined between the plate portion and the U-shaped member. 
     
     
       10. An improved elliptical rowing exercise apparatus of the type having (a) a frame; (b) a crank rotatably mounted on one end of the frame; (c) a rocker link pivotally mounted on an opposite end of the frame; (d) a rigid, user supporting member having a forked portion that is rotatably connected to respective left and right sides of the crank and an opposite, beam portion that is pivotally connected to the rocker link; and (e) a seat mounted on the beam portion of the user supporting member, the improvement comprising:
 a bracket rigidly mounted on top of a middle segment of the forked portion to define an upwardly facing surface, wherein a proximate end of the beam portion rests on top of the upwardly facing surface on the bracket and is rigidly secured thereto by at least one bolt. 
 
     
     
       11. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame configured to rest on a floor surface; 
 a crank rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis; 
 a member having a first portion operatively connected to the crank, and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion; 
 a beam having a first end movably linked to the frame and an opposite, second end overlying the second portion of the member; 
 at least one bracket rigidly interconnected between the second end of the beam and the second portion of the member; and 
 a seat mounted on the beam between the first end and the second end. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  11 , wherein said at least one bracket defines an upwardly facing flat surface. 
     
     
       13. The rowing exercise apparatus of  12 , wherein the second end of the beam defines a downwardly facing flat surface that rests on top of the upwardly facing flat surface. 
     
     
       14. The rowing exercise apparatus of  12 , wherein at least one bolt extends through the at least one bracket and the second end of the beam.